KHornet
Well-Known Member
Our club newsletter reported the blow up of a Marlin 45-70, with injuries. This did not happen at our club per the announcement. The charge was caused by a misinterpretation of load data from a manual. The charge should have been 22-24 gr of 2400. (A load I have used for many years). The charge that blew the rifle was
in excess of 40 gr. of 2400. Blew the bbl off the rifle (it was reported) Pressure must have been gigundous. No loss of fingers, injuries to face, and loss of a chunk of left hand however did result.
I have been using 2400 for many years in many rifles and handguns. It is a powder that can without caution be double charged. I have loading manuals that go back into the 40's, and I believe in using multiple manuals as references when loading unfamiliar cartridges. Any load with any powder that is less than 1/2 of the case capacity (to the mouth of the case), it has been my practice for many years to charge and immediately seat or at lest place the bullet in the case mouth. Cast bullet shooters, frequently use less than half case powder charges. I always look at a minimum of two manuals, often three or four when loading unfamiliar powders. When I was a university safety director, I used to end lectures with "it hurts to get hurt!"
Paul
in excess of 40 gr. of 2400. Blew the bbl off the rifle (it was reported) Pressure must have been gigundous. No loss of fingers, injuries to face, and loss of a chunk of left hand however did result.
I have been using 2400 for many years in many rifles and handguns. It is a powder that can without caution be double charged. I have loading manuals that go back into the 40's, and I believe in using multiple manuals as references when loading unfamiliar cartridges. Any load with any powder that is less than 1/2 of the case capacity (to the mouth of the case), it has been my practice for many years to charge and immediately seat or at lest place the bullet in the case mouth. Cast bullet shooters, frequently use less than half case powder charges. I always look at a minimum of two manuals, often three or four when loading unfamiliar powders. When I was a university safety director, I used to end lectures with "it hurts to get hurt!"
Paul